A woman has been charged with animal cruelty after a dog was left in a sweltering car while the driver went to court.
A passerby noticed the dog -- left in the vehicle Tuesday, as temperatures soared to 31 C -- and alerted an officer, St. Thomas police said yesterday.

The owner returned just as the officer showed up. Police don't know how long the dog had been left in the car, but said it could have been an hour.

A 52-year-old woman is charged with cruelty to animals, a charge which -- on conviction -- can carry a steep fine or six-month jail term.

The dog was returned to its owner, but could be taken away depending on the case's outcome, police said.